The 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs, the pinnacle tournament of the National Hockey League (NHL) season, get underway on 18 April, with the final series scheduled to conclude no later than 21 June. This year’s competition features a significantly refreshed line-up of teams, marked by the absence of several traditional heavyweights.
The Colorado Avalanche enter the post-season as the strongest side, having won the Presidents’ Trophy with a league-best 121 points during the regular season. Conversely, the 2026 bracket will be missing the two-time defending champions, the Florida Panthers, as well as the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Winnipeg Jets. Furthermore, for the first time since 1966, none of the franchises from the New York metropolitan area—the Rangers, Islanders, and Devils—managed to qualify for the playoffs.
On the other hand, the tournament welcomes back several franchises that have endured long post-season droughts. The Buffalo Sabres return after a record 14 years, the Anaheim Ducks after eight years, and the Philadelphia Flyers after six years. The Utah Mammoth also made headlines by qualifying in only their second season, matching the record for the second-fastest expansion team to reach the playoffs.
First Round Matchups and Qualifying Odds
The playoffs follow a best-of-seven elimination format. For fans following the markets, Bet365 provides odds on which teams are favoured to advance from their respective first-round series.
Eastern Conference:
- Buffalo Sabres (1.55) vs. Boston Bruins (2.50)
- Tampa Bay Lightning (1.40) vs. Montreal Canadiens (3.00)
- Carolina Hurricanes (1.58) vs. Ottawa Senators (2.45)
- Pittsburgh Penguins (1.64) vs. Philadelphia Flyers (2.30)
Western Conference:
- Colorado Avalanche (1.20) vs. Los Angeles Kings (4.75)
- Vegas Golden Knights (1.54) vs. Utah Mammoth (2.55)
- Edmonton Oilers (1.41) vs. Anaheim Ducks (2.95)
- Dallas Stars (1.83) vs. Minnesota Wild (2.00)
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Stanley Cup Outright Winner Odds
When it comes to lifting the Stanley Cup, the betting market positions the Colorado Avalanche as the clear favourites to win the championship, with the bottom block of the table grouping the teams considered outsiders.
| Team | Bet365 Odds |
| Colorado Avalanche | 4.00 |
| Tampa Bay Lightning | 5.25 |
| Carolina Hurricanes | 5.75 |
| Vegas Golden Knights | 11.00 |
| Dallas Stars | 12.00 |
| Edmonton Oilers | 13.00 |
| Ottawa Senators | 15.00 |
| Buffalo Sabres | 17.00 |
| Minnesota Wild | 17.00 |
| Pittsburgh Penguins | 26.00 |
| Montreal Canadiens | 26.00 |
| Utah Mammoth | 36.00 |
| Los Angeles Kings | 61.00 |
| Anaheim Ducks | 61.00 |
| Boston Bruins | 61.00 |
| Philadelphia Flyers | 61.00 |
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